By Terence Bunch Published 2010-01-29 00:00:00 Last Edited 2010-01-29 00:00:00

On an emotional day for many, the Iraq Enquiry hears testimony from former British Prime Minister, Anthony Blair, over his part in the disastrous invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003.

The enquiry takes place just north of Parliament Square and has been hearing evidence from those involved in the preparation of the case for war against Iraq. Outside the enquiry building, people gather to continue to voice their anger over the war, Mr Blairs conduct and the appalling aftermath of the invasion for both members of the British military and ordinary Iraqis. Inside the enquiry itself, Mr Blairs testimony proves weak and, at times, openly belligerent.

After almost eight hours of questioning, Mr Blair refuses to accept that his decision to commit British forces to the action was in error and refuses to concede that the primary device used by his government to garner public support for the invasion, was also in error.

More seriously, Mr Blair also demonstrates profound political illiteracy in his understanding of the structure of democratic principle, democratic representation, democratic consent and the role of the rule of law.

He ends the hearing having largely failed to make any progress with the nation as a whole and, therefore, sets in motion the long process of jurisdiction evasion as international courts and tribunals around the world find authority for his prosecution for criminal conduct in war.

Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London. 29th January 2010.

Early on a cold winters day, people begin to gather outside the Iraq Enquiry building just North of Parliament Square on the day former British Prime Minister, Anthony Blair, is due to testify before the enquiry. It is now seven years since the disastrous invasion of Iraq and the United Kingdom remains bitterly divided over the misadventure.

Literature is set out on a stall, the first a peoples dossier which has been printed to allow members of the public to present their own questions to the enquiry and the second, referring to an episode recently in a television interview given to a British television station. In the interview, Mr Blair attempts to test public reaction to his testimony prior to his appearance by provisionally releasing it within the public domain. The venture fails immediately and he is forced to retract at the enquiry proper. The experiment is typical of the difficulties Mr Blair faces and is a prime example of the severity of the situation Mr Blair now finds himself faced with.

A large banner is pinned to railings around the enquiry building drawing attention to the fact that many British people now consider Mr Blair criminally responsible for the consequences of the collapse of Iraqi sovereignty.

Outside the enquiry, a placard is posted bearing an image of a now infamous image of a small child carrying the blood of her parents after they were killed by US Troops at Tal Afar in Northern Iraq when they opened fire on a small vehicle containing seven of her family. The image has been used many times to illustrate the impossible nature of the occupation and its aftermath.

A mock prison cell with bars and a number of posters containing longstanding outlines of problems Mr Blairs premiership has carried with it since he was forced from office in June 2007 in the form of the lies he has told regarding the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The cage contains a caricature of Mr Blair in handcuffs.

Two police officers listen on as the names of both Iraqi citizens and British soldiers are read out to remember them after they died during the initial invasion, and subsequent occupation of the country.

A tearful Maxine Gentle, sister of Gordon Gentle (1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers Died 28th June 2004) who died after his vehicle was ambushed in a roadside bomb in Basra, reads out a statement. Her mother, Rose Gentle has long campaigned for justice for her son and explanations from the British Government over its conduct in Iraq.

A former soldier holds a small poster demanding that Mr Blair become subject to prosecution for war crimes. The process has already started with a court at the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission & War Crimes Tribunal establishing, in the later part of 2009, jurisdiction for Mr Blairs prosecution. Over the following years, other courts will find authority starting a process known in informal international parlance as International Constriction, preventing Mr Blair from travelling into any area that has also established jurisdiction. By this process, proscribed war criminals are unable to avoid prosecution by cross-border flight.